Snakes On A Plane director David R. Ellis dies

The filmmaker passed away yesterday (07.01.13) in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was gearing up to shoot upcoming Samuel L. Jackson movie 'KITE'. The cause of his death is as yet unknown.

Samuel tweeted: ''So sad to hear of David R Ellis passing. So talented, so kind, such a good friend. Gone too soon!''

David is best known for 2006 cult thriller 'Snakes On A Plane', which starred 'Pulp Fiction' actor Samuel as an FBI agent on a mission to save terrified passengers from poisonous reptiles let loose on a long-haul flight.

He began his Hollywood career as a child actor in the 70s with parts in 'Wonder Woman', 'Flying High' and 'Rocky III' before training as a stuntman and moving on to filmmaking.

The thrill-loving director also helmed 'Final Destination 2', 'The Final Destination', 'Cellular' and 2011's 'Shark Night 3D', and worked as a second unit director on big action sequences in the first 'Harry Potter' film, 'The Matrix Reloaded' and Kevin Costner's 'Waterworld'.

The father-of-three most recently worked on the Keanu Reeves feature '47 Ronin' and the 'R.I.P.D' with Ryan Reynolds, which are yet to be released.